The Night Agent: Netflix’s Reacher Replacement Reveals Its Biggest Strength

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The Reacher series has always had a certain pattern, and the new version on Netflix actually shows that this pattern might be a good thing, despite initially seeming like a problem.

The show Reacher consistently delivers on its promise of thrilling action, making it hard to dislike. Like the books it’s based on, the Prime Video series has everything you’d expect – from cheesy lines to impressive fight scenes where Reacher easily defeats his opponents. The show’s central mysteries are also consistently engaging.

Some viewers have pointed out a weakness in how the show develops its characters. While this feedback is understandable, the new version of Reacher on Netflix shows that it doesn’t need to be fixed.

Like Reacher, The Night Agent Has Dropped Its Female Lead In Season 3

Courtesy of Christopher Saunders/Netflix

Each season of Reacher introduces a new female character for Alan Ritchson’s character to team up with, solve crimes alongside, and then ultimately part ways with. While The Night Agent has also used a similar ‘case-of-the-week’ format since its first season, focusing on a different conspiracy each time, it differs by keeping one character, Rose, as a consistent link between seasons one and two.

The show Reacher changes the main female character each season, which stays true to the books. However, this approach began to feel a little concerning, as it could make these women seem like temporary plot points rather than fully developed characters.

Just like Rose in the first two seasons, The Night Agent also uses an anthology format, meaning she doesn’t appear in season 3. Although this makes the connection between seasons a little weaker, it ultimately benefits the show.

The show’s format lets new viewers jump in at any season, and it opens up possibilities for more varied storylines. Instead of being limited to recurring villains and heroes, each season can feature a completely new plot, raising the tension without needing to tie up loose ends from the past.

The Night Agent Season 3 Proves Reacher Is Better Off Sticking To What Works

Some viewers have criticized the way Reacher handles things, but The Night Agent shows that this approach is effective and should continue. Both shows, like with Peter Sutherland’s character, feature a lead who largely works alone. Being self-sufficient, no matter the situation, is a defining characteristic of Jack Reacher.

He consistently avoids getting too attached in his relationships, as shown by his tendency to break up with the women he dates at the end of each season.

Giving Jack Reacher a lasting romantic relationship would fundamentally alter the character as presented in the original books. Because of this, it seems Reacher, much like the character Peter Sutherland, is best suited to forming short-term connections.

Roscoe’s Return Would Still Be Great, But Reacher’s Story Has Grown Too Far From Her

Despite appearing in the first three seasons, Roscoe is still considered Reacher’s closest friend and love interest. Many fans are hoping she’ll reappear in future seasons and team up with Alan Ritchson’s character once more. However, the latest season suggests that Reacher’s story has moved in a direction that makes her return unlikely.

Now that season 4 is based on Lee Child’s Gone Tomorrow, it seems increasingly unlikely Roscoe will return. While a quick appearance by her would be a nice nod to her storyline in Reacher season 1, the Prime Video show would probably benefit more from focusing on standalone seasons, similar to how Netflix’s The Night Agent is structured.

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2026-02-23 04:18